We know because, when Max is well, he is always where we are in the house. And, if we happen to be in different rooms (which is not acceptable to Max), he moves back and forth between the two rooms until we are all together again. Max is spoiled. He rules the house. We reflect often on our part in shaping his behavior, but really, what can we do about it now?
Max is what we consider a high maintanence pet. He begins reminding us that it's almost time to eat about 30 minutes before feeding time by yipping at us incessantly until we get up to feed him. He lets us know everything he needs or wants with the same yipping sounds. If we don't respond fast enough, the yipping grows into a shrill cry or an impatient bark. It's not likely we would get out of the house without giving him a carrot, or that we would leave him outside one minute longer than he wants to be out there. He makes sure we are aware of his every desire. He's so persistent that we often refer to him as "pest". But these behaviors, that at times infuriate us, are also the behaviors that make Max so endearing to us.
As you might imagine, it's easy for us to tell when Max isn't feeling well, which was the case last week. He had an episode with his back in January, so we had some muscle relaxer and pain medicine to give him. This time though, it didn't seem to help him. We woke up in the middle of the night to Max shaking, panting and crying - all signs that he was in pain. We took him to the emergency vet where he got a shot to relieve the pain and a new pain medicine. Three days later we had Max back at his vet because he wasn't responding to the medication.
It was quite an ordeal as the vet reminded us of his age and talked about the possibility of back surgery (which we wanted to avoid because Max has a significant heart murmer and it's a risk to put him under anesthesia). After listening carefully to our options, we decided to try another medication. But before he could start the new medication, he had to withdraw from the medicine he was taking. Unfortunately, this meant 48 hours with no pain medicine at all. It was the hardest 48 hours of our lives.
The good news - Max responded to the new medication within the first 24 hours, and after 3 days, he was back to himself.
While this story has a happy ending, the past 2 weeks have been a cruel reminder that we will not have Max forever. So, this morning, I'm appreciating him for all the joy he brings to our lives everyday, even as he, so persistently, reminds me that it's time for Cheerios!
Good to hear that Max is still playing with that hedgehog. The beginning of your post reminds me of the seasonal favorite, Christmas Hedgehog that Eve destroyed. May Christmas rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteWay to go, taking on a post like this one. I've considered writing about Eve, but haven't gotten up the nerve to do so yet. She's my family right now. (I know I have those people who follow me to Zorba's occasionally, but it's not the same) It is easy for me to write about silly frivolous stuff and about issues that matter, but a whole post about an individual who matters seems daunting.
That last paragraph is mad powerful, by the way. Thanks for sharing this.
I had to laugh when you mentioned not leaving him out there one more minute than he wants to be out there. Our dog Tess barks and barks at the door leaving me to wonder when dogs became such babies. She's an 80 pound German Shepard and sometimes acts as though she's allergic to sunshine and fresh air. The saddest part of this is when the kids have friends over she has to be locked in the laundry room due to "snapping" incidents in the past. I try to get her to stay outside instead but still she barks and barks to get in - preferring the small closed up laundry room to the back deck. I don't get it. Much like Max she makes of aware of her every desire.
ReplyDeleteI hope Max doesn't sleep in the bed with you. If so, I would imagine he probably takes up far more than his deserved share.
Great post. I'm glad he's better.
Oh, Maxie... Momma and Other Momma will always hold future dogs to your standard.
ReplyDeleteI know you can't believe this or think about this right now, but I will tell you this: When Maxi-Man is no longer in your arms, he will still be in your heart and your lap, and YOU WILL have another baby one day who holds your heart like he does (See: Casey Jones), but his Maxness will always be with you, as it helped make you who you are today!